The Boy Who Lived
Looks as if that rather average looking outfit shot at the top was taken in front of a similarly average house on an estate somewhere in England. Surrey, perhaps? If you’re as nerdy as me, you’ll already know that this was in fact the spot that a baby Harry Potter was placed all those years ago, or to ruin the magic a little, the film set used over the past decade as the Dursley’s house in the Harry Potter films.
At the weekend, I visited the Harry Potter studio tour in Leavesden, and it was everything that I’d hoped for and more. Like a lot of you, I’d grown up with Harry Potter, from having it read to me at school to sobbing my eyes out when finishing the last book, it holds a very special place in my heart. As do the films – when the first came out, I was 11 just like Harry, and crossing my fingers that my Hogwarts letter might arrive soon. Sadly that owl never showed up, but the studio tour was the next best thing, as I finally got to explore the great hall and more with a couple of my best Harry Potter-loving chums. I can safely say we were probably more excited than the children that surrounded us!
I don’t want to spoil it too much for anyone that plans on visiting in the future, so I won’t include too many pictures of the inside…but I will give you my verdict on Butterbeer: yuck! I got the famous Butterbeer moustache, but sadly fizzy drinks aren’t for me so my cup of butterscotch flavoured froth was passed to my more-than-willing friend Katie.
Welcome to Hogwarts
Like I said before, I don’t want to give too much away, but our day involved peering into the potions classroom, doing a spot of ironing at The Burrow, snooping around Dumbledore’s office, eyeing up all the major props and peering though the windows of shops in Diagon Alley. It couldn’t have been more perfect – if you haven’t been yet, I couldn’t recommend it enough. It’s almost worth going for the gift shop alone – Miguel wouldn’t let me buy a wand (apparently I have no use for one) but I came away with a chocolate frog, some Bertie Bott’s Every Flavour Beans and a familiar pair of specs. It’s ridiculous how overwhelming the urge to spend over £100 on a full Hogwarts uniform is…again, I wasn’t sure I’d get much use out of it!
Still, I wore the most magical outfit I could find in my wardrobe – an old Topshop dress covered in stars, glittering fingernails to match my new limited edition Cambridge Satchel, and black cats on my feet. Any eager Potter fans recognise the building I’m stood in front of the picture below?
The Every Flavour Beans aren’t going down too quickly (unsurprising with flavours like snot and vomit in the mix) – anybody fancy one?! x
“Alas, Earwax“
Ahhhh!!!! So jelous!!! I can’t wait to go there, but unfortunately, I don’t live in the UK, so I’d have to go there on purpose to visit (which I will, this is just too good!).
Loved the outfit and the poses, very cute!
Just wondering, did the earthquake in Bologna affect you in any way? Because you were there some time ago, but I don’t know if you had to go through it. At least it looks like you’re ok and in one piece, so that’s good.
Take care! xxx
No, thankfully we weren’t affected by the earthquake, but I’m extremely saddened by those that were – it is such a beautiful city : ( x
Ahh I could write an essay in agreement to everything you said in this post (I sobbed not only at the book, but at the last premiere watching it live from Youtube after missing out on a chance to photograph there), but instead I will just say that I’m lamenting not buying that Cambridge satchel which you wear so wonderfully! We honestly seem to have such incredibly similar tastes, haha!
http://shelovesmixtapes.blogspot.com/
Carrie I was here on Sunday! I’ll be doing a post about it on my blog tomorrow. I had the most incredible day. I cried when I saw the castle model because it was so big and beautiful. I also tried butterbeer and purchased a chocolate frog. Best day ever.
Amy x
Ohhhmy, you have made me want to watch Harry Potter all over again.! Loving the animated picture too by the way. I’ve pre-ordered your magazine and am in much anticipation over its arrival. Hope you are well and enjoying life! xxx
Tania xx
http://t-mareeclothing.blogspot.com.au
I love your photos. I was thinking of going myself, until a friend uploaded photos to Facebook of EVERYTHING he saw at the studios. He spoiled it for me, but hey, your sneak peeks make me want to change my mind about not going.
Oh that’s such a shame – exactly the kind of thing I was trying to avoid by only posting a few snippets! I know how important it is for us Potter fans to remain unspoiled..! x
I so want to go! It is shameful that I live 15 minutes from Leavesden and haven’t been yet. Might be a Birthday Week activity!
Yesss!!! Go!! xx
You are so lucky! For sure, next time I visit England i will go too!
Kisses from Spain!
I’m going to London in September, maybe I should pay it a visit, it’s second best to the far away theme park in the US! Looks so cool
Oh my heart skipped a beat when I read this title!
I’d heard about these tours before, but all I’d seen of them were a few blurry iPhone snaps on facebook, and I just KNEW you’d do your trip justice with beautiful, detailed shots! London was already next on my ‘to-visit list’ (I live in Western Austrlia) but now I am ever-so-much-more excited for this probably faraway trip…
You and I must be around the same age – I had the exact same experience of growing up alongside Harry through the books and films, as well as the experience of bawling my eyes out at the end of it all! I love the treat of disappearing into that familiar but wonderful world and hope some day to do it for real on one of these tours(or as close as you can get).
Thank you so much for sharing,
Helen x
Your pics are so great! I was there about a month and a half ago. It was so wonderful! I took a day off from work and everything. It was a bit of a b-day pressie between my fellow and me. I took over 150 pictures. What a lovely day it was.
Ah this looks fantastic. I was all over it back when the studio tour was announced but promptly forgot all about it! I must book myself some tickets and go soon! It looks like such a dream!
I am so jealous! Looks like you had a great time. I was lucky enough to see the Harry Potter traveling exhibit at a museum a few years back. It had tons of cool set pieces and costumes from the films. It was very exciting!
How magical and fun! I’ve got to send this post to my sister because she is such a die hard Potter fan!
(Also, on side note, I love your ‘wish’ ring! It’s darling!)
I’m jealous in a good way, of course, in April I went to wizarding world of Harry Potter in Orlando and was amazing, but I really need to go in this one to!! By the way, your Cambridge Satchel is size 13? thank you in advance.
It’s 11″ and available exclusively at mybag.com! : )
I would love to go there!
Those are really wonderful pictures!
They make me want to go there and see the studios myself. And I’m glad you didn’t post too many pictures so everyone can still imagine what else will be there to see.
Hailey from http://squidsquads.blogspot.com
First off, I love that pattern for the dress! Magical!
And oh, this looks like so much fun! Very impressed you resisted temptation to get a wand!
Those are really wonderful pictures!
They make me want to visit the studios as well. And I liked that you didn’t show too many pictures, so everyone can still imagine what else will be there to see.
Hailey from http://squidsquads.blogspot.com
Magical!! I’m so jealous
The Bootlace
So magical and surreal! Loving the animated gif, super cute. And your star print dress is perfect for the occasion.
http://www.TheFancyTeacup.com
Aww.. I have never ever been in the UK, but I have been to Paris and Venice four…
I first saw your pictures at Instagram, and now it’s certain – I m.u.s.t save some money and go too London, beeing a huge fan of Harry Potter.
It looks absolutely amazing! I will most certainly be paying a visit! Love your outfit!
xxxxx
Amazing photos,as usual!It looks insanely brilliant at the Harry Potter set.
I’m a total Harry Potter geek, so I’m so excited to visit!
Oh wow, I wish I were in England right now so I could hope on out there immediately! It sounds like an incredible tour for Harry Potter buffs like ourselves! I also grew up with the books and movies, so they’ll always hold a very special place in my heart. Someday I’ll make it out there for what sounds like a truly magical experience. Thanks for sharing with us and glad you thought it was just as amazing as you’d hoped!
xo.
Oh my goodness, this looks and sounds …magical! Thanks for the tips, I had no idea there was such a thing as this studio. I’m definitely going the next time I’m around. Today is my birthday, and taking this tour is a nice wish and goal for the next year! You look lovely as always, by the way!
Ahhh! That’s so exciting!
Wow!! I didn’t know the existence of that experience! I would really like to go there it seems so magical!
You have a really nice blog! Love your outfit by the way it matches really well with your post (wizards & witches) hihi
*AMAZING POST! I LOVE IT!*
STARS & KISSES
Oh my gosh, this looks amazing! The Harry Potter fan in me is green with envy. Definitely putting this on my list of places to go, especialyl because I’ve always wanted to try the sweets/Butterbeer.
I must be much older than you as I was in my first year of university when the first film came out, but I am just as obsessed with Harry Potter as you (part of the reason I love living in Cambridge is that all the colleges feel like a real-life Hogwarts!), and cannot WAIT to visit the studio!
Thank you so much for this adorable sneak peak Carrie!
Briony xx
Oh dear lord, why don’t I live in England?! My friends and I are, like you, true Potterheads. Harry Potter has been one of those things that brought us together and that we will forever share. We’ve seen the last movie together and even had two marathons. Going to the sets would definitely be a dream come true to all of us. The place just seems so magical and I’m thinking that part of that is because I am seeing it through your eyes ( your pictures always have this magic to them).
As far as the Hogwarts uniform goes, I would’t exactly buy it either but I can settle for the next big thing: I’m from Portugal, so I have an academic uniform; word as it, miss JK was actually inspired by them to create the Hogwarts uniforms.
And I realized I just wrote way to much and you’ll probably think I’m crazy, but hey, it’s Harry Potter we’re talking about
great post as usual!
love the cute cat shoes and the nail polish!
kiss from Spain
letiziabarcelona
wow!! so jealous!! i didn’t even know that the place was real!! i want to go now!
xx
http://www.aroundlucia.com
http://www.aroundlucia.com
super nice pics!!
xx
http://www.ireneccloset.com
what a great experience!!! I loved your wish ring!!!
OMG I LOVE EVERYTHING. i wish i could go and visit.
ooh this looks awesome, it’s really making me want to go now!
Waaaaaaahh! I CAN’T WAIT toll i go there
I am looking forward to it SO SO SO much and even more than ever now! I cna imagine it being quite tough not to buy EVERYTHING in the gift store, I remember when the film first came out and they were selling every flavoured beans and was quite sad that they stopped, I’m happy to see that I will be able to stock up soon.YAY! Looks like the most fun. It seems that the Harry Potter world will always be there for us even though the books and films have now finished xxx
This is unreal!
I love your dress, very appropriate! Lovely images too!
xx
A great sneak peek! If you don’t mind me asking, who made your ring? It’s lovely!
I am far too jealous! I have to book tickets to this soon, I am such a Potter nerd and I can’t wait to immerse myself in all of the details – it looks like they’ve put so much work into it! xoxo
LOVE THE POST! NICE BLOG!
Almu
http://www.mavieenroseblog.com/
Love this post
The photos are fab. I really want to go and visit, every one has seemed to love it so far. I’m going to WWOHP in Sept when we’re in Florida, but this looks so different and I don’t think I can control my HP urge not to go xo
Amazing photos!
My best friend and I are humungous Harry Potter fans! We actually travelled to Florida for a convention last July (and got to watch DH pt2 there- it was amazing!) and I am getting married in WWoHP. Total loser haha!
We’re going to the Studio tour on July 31st (Like I said- total losers!) and I am so incredibly excited about it.
It looks like you had a great time and I can’t wait to see it for myself!
Becky
xx
http://www.beckybedbug.com
It’s great, I also want to visit this place!
This looks SO fun!! I want to go!
lovely lovely bag! x
dreamingthesea.blogspot.com
Aaaah!! I wanna go there! It looks great! And so you do. I love your dress. Perfect outfit <3